I, too, am in the DC area (Laytonsville, MD). I have a DS-003 and it is exceptional in my opinion. Transient response stands out but most striking is the dynamics - the dynamic contrasts presented are unlike anything I've heard in my system before.
jperry - I too generally refrain from offering an opinion unless I’ve heard the equipment being discussed. In the case of the DS Audio system I do have experience with it and definitely stand by my opinion of the quality of its sound. I have 7 turntables set up at the moment in 3 different systems, two with DS-003 cartridges. In terms of the life-like quality of the sound, I’ve simply not heard anything better.
A DS Audio system need not be super expensive. The least expensive system is less than $3000 for both the cartridge and the energizer - everything needed.
I think you would have to hear them for yourself. I have 2 DS-003’s, one with the DS-003 energizer, the other with the least expensive energizer (DS-E1). Both sound very good and the system with the less expensive energizer does, indeed, sound better than the other phono systems in that setup (Parasound JC-3, Hana ML, PS Audio Stellar, Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC Star).
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